A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be jetted off to the beautiful US of A to experience everything that Washington DC had to offer, but before we stopped in the famous capital, we found ourselves just across the border in Virginia in the gorgeous city of Alexandria. I had literally never heard of Alexandria before, and if I'm completely honest I probably would have never visited if it wasn't for this trip. But after experiencing a jam-packed day there I would have to recommend it!
Considering that it's so close to DC, it just makes sense to take the quick drive here and tick another state off your bucket list. And if you're stuck for things to do, never fear! I've got a handy guide for you right here...
To Stay
Our first night was spent in the gorgeous Alexandrian Hotel, which was situated right in the heard of Old Town. The rooms were gorgeous, clean and spacious, and the bed was perhaps the comfiest cloud I've ever slept on. If only I wasn't suffering from severe jet lag then I would have been able to sleep soundly! One downside was that the AC was SO loud, but I luckily had earplugs with me.
To Eat
For breakfast we headed to Hummingbird, which served pretty much the best French toast I've ever tasted. Everything was crazy delicious and the vibe in here is so cute. It also has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river, which is so perfect for a sunny day if you have one!
I'd also definitely recommend the avocado on toast, because that looked fabulous as well!
Located over in Pentagon Row, this gorgeous, family-owned restaurant specialises in delicious Lebanese food, including the best garlic hummus I've ever had (honestly I could eat it right now) and a mountain of calamari! The portion sizes here (like most of the places we visited) were absolutely epic, but it's perfect for sharing across the table!
Our final meal in Virginia was at the Majestic, based in Old Town Alexandria. It offers classic dishes that are rustic and very American, not to mention delicious. I went for the fish of the day which was lovely and we also shared a coconut cream cake that was melt in the mouth good!
To Visit
Captain's Row
One of only two cobblestone blocks in the city, Captain's Row really looks like it's been taken straight off an American chocolate box. Lined with American flags, every door has a different wreath, and the whole street feels so warm and lovely.
Jumpsuit - River Island | Belt - River Island | Shoes - Dune
Located just a quick metro ride away in Rosslyn, the Observation Deck was created when they built a new office block and found that the top floor had an incredible view! It has only been open to the public for a couple of months so I'd definitely recommend popping by. There is a law in DC that no building can be taller than the Washington Monument, but because this is in Virginia it can be! So you get some incredible views of the National Mall, including the Monument, as you can see above. It really is the best view of DC that you can get.
Alexandria Old Town
Pretty much the whole of Alexandria is beautiful, but the old town is especially gorgeous. Much like Captain's Row, all of the houses feel like they're on a movie set. They're so picture perfect! I found myself wanting to move right in and set up shop in the quaint American streets. If you're looking for a place that's just so 'American', then you need to take a walk around Old Town.
Spite House
Alexandria is also home to the skinniest house in America, stretching only 7 feet wide. It was built in 1830 when John Hollensbury wanted to keep loiterers out of his alleyway, therefore the name 'Spite' House was given. Ironically, it's now one of the most visited spots nearly two centuries later. It's also the cutest shade of blue!
This historic apothecary was claimed as a museum once the original owners filed for bankruptcy, and now you can tour it in all its glory! It's definitely one for Harry Potter fans, as you can find Dragon's Blood and Unicorn Root all stored here, still preserved from the moment the store closed. The tours here don't take too long, but it's definitely cool to see all these ingredients that were once sold as medicines (and are definitely not now!). They also have some cute Harry Potter items in their gift shop too!
I hope you enjoyed this little guide to Virginia and if you ever find yourself there it will help you decide what to visit! I absolutely adored Alexandria and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to visit. A huge thank you to the Virginian Tourist Board for making all this possible, I had such a wonderful time!
Let me know if you've ever visited Virginia, or if you'd ever like to go there! I have my Washington DC post coming very soon as well...so stay tuned to see what we got up to there! x
Our stay in Alexandria was complimentary thanks to the Virginian Tourist Board but all opinions are my own.
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